Packaging and applicator device for applying a composition to the skin or the lips

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a packaging and applicator device for applying a composition to the skin or the lips, the device comprising:
         an applicator comprising: a stem having a distal portion; and an applicator element that is carried by the distal portion of the stem; and   a receptacle containing the composition for application to the skin or the lips, the receptacle being provided with at least one wiper member for wiping the applicator element while it is being removed from the receptacle;   the applicator element having a longitudinal axis that does not coincide with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem; and   the applicator element having an end face of envelope surface that is substantially plane and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem, the end face being situated on the side of the applicator element that is opposite from the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem.

This non provisional application claims the benefit of FrenchApplication No. 07 55903 filed on Jun. 20, 2007 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/948,598 filed on Jul. 9, 2007.

The present invention relates to packaging and applicator devices forapplying a composition to the skin or the lips.

The invention relates more particularly to devices in which theapplicator comprises an applicator element that is carried by a stem andthat is inserted into a receptacle so as to be loaded with composition.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,254 discloses devices in which the applicatorincludes an applicator element that presents a free end that is at adistance from the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem.The receptacle containing the composition for application is providedwith a wiper member comprising a block of foam. The use of a block offoam makes it easier to wipe the applicator element in uniform manner.However, the presence of the block of foam can impose constraints inmaking the receptacle, which constraints are associated in particularwith fastening the block of foam in the receptacle.

European patent application EP 1 053 695 discloses packaging andapplicator devices in which the applicator element also presents adistal end that is at a distance from the longitudinal axis of thedistal portion of the stem. Such devices allow the applicator element tobe wiped in non-uniform manner, allowing composition to accumulate onone side of the applicator element.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,598 describes applicators having an applicatorelement that presents a free end that is beveled. When such applicatorsare removed from a receptacle that includes a conventional wiper member,a drop of composition can form at the end of the applicator element, onthe beveled portion of said applicator element. Such a drop ofcomposition can ruin the uniformness of the deposit of composition onthe surface being treated, which is of little consequence for alipgloss, but can be very troublesome with a composition for impartingcolor.

Application EP 1 336 353 discloses an applicator element for applying acomposition such as an eyeliner to the eyelids, the applicator elementhaving, at one end, tips that make it possible to draw lines, the tipspossibly being laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of thedistal portion of the stem so as to improve the perception of the linedrawn with the tips.

Application EP 1 745 777 discloses applicators having an applicatorelement that presents at least one thin hinge-forming zone between itsproximal portion and its distal portion. The applicators allow theapplicator element to be wiped in non-uniform manner, with anaccumulation of composition on the end face.

SUMMARY

There exists a need to improve still further packaging and applicatordevices for applying a composition to the skin or the lips.

In one of its aspects, the invention provides a packaging and applicatordevice for applying a composition to the skin or the lips, the devicecomprising:

-   -   an applicator comprising: a stem having a distal portion; and an        applicator element that is carried by the distal portion of the        stem; and    -   a receptacle containing the composition for application to the        skin or the lips, the receptacle being provided with at least        one wiper member for wiping the applicator element while it is        being removed from the receptacle;    -   the applicator element having a longitudinal axis that does not        coincide with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the        stem, e.g. forming a non-zero angle therewith; and    -   the applicator element having an end face of envelope surface        that is substantially plane and substantially parallel to the        longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem, the end        face being situated on the side of the applicator element that        is opposite from the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of        the stem.

The invention is particularly suitable for applying a composition to thelips, but it can also be used for application to the eyelids.

The term “substantially plane” should be understood to mean that theenvelope surface can be plane or slightly concave or convex. Thegreatest offset of the envelope surface, as measured relative to itsedge, is less than or equal to 1.2 millimeters (mm), better less than orequal to 0.5 mm.

The term “substantially parallel” should be understood to mean an anglethat is less than or equal to ±10° with the longitudinal axis of thedistal portion of the stem, better less than or equal to ±5°.

When it is not rectilinear, the longitudinal axis of the applicatorelement can be defined as the axis that follows the center of gravity ofthe cross-section of the envelope surface of the applicator element. Foran envelope cross-section that is circular, or polygonal, or thatpresents axial symmetry, the axis passes via the center of the section.The applicator element may have a longitudinal axis that forms an anglewith the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem, at leastin a region of the applicator element that is immediately in line withthe stem on the outside.

A device of the invention enables the applicator element to be wipedwithout forming a drop of composition in excess on the end face which,as a result of its orientation, can be wiped suitably by the wipermember, unlike an applicator element having its longitudinal axiscoinciding with the longitudinal axis of the stem.

The invention can be suitable for applying a composition that isrelatively fluid.

The invention thus makes it possible to apply a layer of composition ofrelatively uniform thickness, which is advantageous in particular whenthe composition is colored and when uniformity of color is desired onapplication.

In addition, the invention makes it possible to benefit from an end facethat is relatively extensive, if so desired, making it easier to applymakeup both quickly and precisely. Application may be performed by meansof the end face, but also by means of another surface of the applicatorelement, where appropriate, e.g. a surface that is situatedsubstantially opposite from the end face.

The end face may be relatively extensive in the axial direction, and, byway of example, may extend along the longitudinal axis of the distalportion of the stem over a distance that is greater than or equal to 2mm, 3 mm, or 4 mm, e.g. a distance lying in the range 2 mm to 15 mm.

The end face may optionally extend as far as the distal end of theapplicator element. At least one point of the end face may be spacedapart from the distal end of the applicator element by a distance thatis less than or equal to 1 mm. The applicator element may deformelastically in order to pass through the wiper member.

The end face may be somewhat spaced apart from the longitudinal axis ofthe distal portion of the stem, e.g. by a distance that is greater thanor equal to 2 mm, 3 mm, or 4 mm. When the stem is secured to a closurecap for closing the receptacle, the end face may be sufficiently closeto the longitudinal axis of the stem to allow the applicator to roll ona horizontal plane surface without the applicator element touching saidsurface.

The applicator element may comprise a flat tip, and the end face may bedefined by said flat tip, at least in part.

The applicator element may extend along a longitudinal axis that formsan angle with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem,said angle lying in the range 5° to 45°, better in the range 10° to 35°.Such an angle contributes to making the applicator more ergonomic.

The applicator element may extend with a longitudinal axis that isoptionally rectilinear, the longitudinal axis of the applicator elementbeing curvilinear for example, in particular concave or convex besidethe longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem, or comprising aplurality of segments having different orientations, in particular whenthe applicator element presents a flat tip that defines the end face, atleast in part.

The end face may present a width that decreases towards the distal end,and that makes it possible to form a point at the end of the applicatorelement, and to obtain greater accuracy in application, for example. Byway of example, the end face may present a shape that is substantiallytriangular or elliptical.

The end face may define, in longitudinal section in a plane that isperpendicular to the end face, a bevel at the distal end of theapplicator element, the bevel being of angle (β) lying in the range 6°to 65°, for example.

The applicator element may present various shapes in cross-section, andfor example it may present, over at least a fraction of its length, across-section that is circular, non-circular, polygonal, or flat,amongst others.

When the applicator element is observed in front view, in a directionthat is substantially perpendicular to the end face, the width of theportion of the applicator element that is situated above the end facemay be substantially constant, or it may increase or decrease on goingaway from the distal end of the applicator element.

The applicator element may comprise an opening, e.g. a slot, that issituated between the stem and the end face.

The applicator element may present an outside surface that does not havean indentation. In a variant, the applicator element may comprise arecess that opens out into the end face for example, the recess possiblybeing a through recess, where appropriate. The presence of the recessmakes it possible to constitute a reserve of composition that feeds theend face, and may impart flexibility to the applicator element, whereappropriate.

The applicator element may comprise a thin hinge-forming zone, the thinzone opening out into the side that is opposite from the side where theend face is located, for example. The thin hinge-forming zone can makeit easier for the applicator element to flex on contact with the lips orwith the wiper member, with flexing taking place through about tendegrees, for example.

The applicator element is advantageously flocked, e.g. with bristles allof the same kind or with a mixture of bristles, e.g. bristles of variouskinds and/or of various lengths.

The applicator element may be flocked over substantially all of itsvisible surface. In a variant, only the surface of the applicatorelement that is used for applying composition need be flocked. Still ina variant, the applicator element need not be flocked. By way ofexample, the presence or absence of flocking could be chosen as afunction of the rheology of the composition.

The applicator element may be magnetic or magnetizable.

In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a method ofapplying a composition to the skin or the lips, the method comprisingthe following step:

-   -   removing from a receptacle containing the composition for        application, an applicator comprising a stem that is provided at        one end with an applicator element, the stem being removed in a        removal direction, the applicator element presenting an end face        of envelope surface that is substantially plane and that extends        substantially parallel to the removal direction, the end face        being situated on the side of the applicator element that is        opposite from the longitudinal axis of the end of the stem.

The method may comprise the step consisting in removing the applicatorelement in contact with a wiper member that is disposed in thereceptacle, the applicator element being capable of deforming on passingthrough the wiper member. The removal direction may be parallel to thewiper member.

The method may comprise the step of applying the composition that ispresent on the end face by bringing said end face into contact with theskin or the lips.

In another of its aspects, the invention also provides an applicatorelement for applying a composition to the skin or the lips, theapplicator element comprising: a fastener portion for fastening on astem of an applicator, e.g. an endpiece for inserting into a housing ofthe stem; and a body that defines an end face of envelope surface thatis substantially plane and substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the fastener portion, the body having a longitudinal axis thatforms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the fastener portion. Suchan applicator element may present any one of the characteristics definedabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood on reading the following detaileddescription of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic longitudinal section showing anexample of a packaging and applicator device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a larger-scale view of the FIG. 1 applicator element;

FIG. 3 is a front view as seen looking along arrow III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the use of the end face of the applicator for applyingmakeup to the lips;

FIGS. 5 to 7 are fragmentary and diagrammatic side views of variantembodiments of the applicator;

FIG. 8 is a front view as seen looking along arrow VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a variant embodiment of the applicatorelement;

FIG. 10 is a front view as seen looking along arrow X in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of another variant embodiment of the applicatorelement;

FIG. 12 is a front view as seen looking along arrow XII in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of another variant embodiment of the applicatorelement;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section on XIV-XIV in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section of a variant embodimentof the applicator element;

FIG. 16 shows a variant embodiment of the applicator element;

FIG. 17 is a cross-section on XVII-XVII in the FIG. 2 applicatorelement;

FIG. 18 is a section of the applicator element in a plane that isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stemon XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 19 to 21 are fragmentary views in elevation showing other examplesof applicators; and

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic view of an end face that is slightly convex.

MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a packaging and applicator device 1 comprising a receptacle2 and an applicator 3.

The receptacle 2 contains a composition P that is a liquid lipstick inthe embodiment described, but it is not beyond the ambit of the presentinvention for the composition P to be different, e.g. being a lipglossand/or a care product for the lips, or makeup for the eyelids.

The applicator 3 comprises a stem 4 that is connected at its proximalend to a handle 5, and at its distal end to an applicator element 6 thatis shown in greater detail in FIG. 2.

The stem 4 can be of longitudinal axis that is rectilinear as shown, or,in a variant, it could be curved. The longitudinal axis of the distalportion of the stem can thus correspond to the direction along which thedistal end of the stem extends.

The handle 5 constitutes a closure cap for closing the receptacle 2 inleaktight manner, and includes an internally-threaded skirt for example,that is configured in such a manner as to screw on a neck 7 of thereceptacle 2 that can include a corresponding external thread.

The device 1 further includes a wiper member 8 that is housed, at leastin part, in the neck 7 of the receptacle 2 for example, and that issuitable for contributing, where appropriate, to closing the receptaclein leaktight manner.

In the embodiment described, the stem 4 presents a cross-section that iscircular, but it is not beyond the ambit of the present invention forthis to be otherwise, in particular when the cross-section of the stem 4is oval, elliptical, or polygonal, e.g. square, rectangular, ortriangular. The stem 4 can be solid or hollow. By way of example, thegreatest outside diameter of the stem 4 can lie in the range 3 mm to 6mm, e.g. being in the range about 4 mm to 5 mm.

When the stem 4 is not of circular cross-section, the cap 5 can possiblyby fastened on the receptacle by snap-fastening or by some other means,without turning relative to said receptacle. The wiper member 8 can thuspresent a non-circular wiper orifice of section that is complementary tothe section of the stem 4.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the wiper member 8 includes aflexible lip that defines a wiper orifice 11 of dimension that isadapted to wipe the applicator element 6. The wiper member can have awiper lip that is optionally undulating, optionally slotted, optionallyadjustable.

The applicator element 6 comprises a body 9 that can be covered inflocking 13.

At least part and preferably all of the body 9 can be made by molding,e.g. by injection-molding, e.g. in a material selected from thefollowing list: thermoplastic materials; elastomers; thermoplasticelastomers; thermoplastic elastomer polyester such as HYTREL®, forexample; nitrile rubber; silicone rubber; ethylene-propylene terpolymerrubber (EPDM); styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS);styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS); polyurethane (PU); ethyl vinyl acetate(EVA); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyethylene (PE); polyethyleneterephthalate (PET); polypropylene (PP); this list not being limiting.

The body 9 can be made, at least in part, from material that is moreflexible than a material from which the stem 4 is made.

Where appropriate, the applicator element 6 can be magnetic, the body 9possibly including particles having non-zero magnetic susceptibility,for example.

The greatest width of the applicator element, as measuredperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the stem, can be less than,indeed strictly less than, the greatest width of the stem, as measuredperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the stem.

The body 9 of the applicator element can be molded integrally with afastener endpiece, not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, for being received in acorresponding housing of the stem 4. In the embodiment underconsideration, the endpiece has a longitudinal axis that coincides withthe longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem.

The applicator element 6 can be fastened to the stem 4 by adhesive, byheat-sealing, by force-fitting, by snap-fastening, by crimping, or byscrew-fastening. In a variant, the body 9 is made integrally with thestem 4, e.g. from the same material or from different materials, e.g. bydual-injection.

Where appropriate, the stem 4 can include a flexible zone that favorsdeformation of the stem during application and/or during removal fromthe receptacle, or, on the contrary, it need not include such a zone.

The applicator element 6 presents a visible portion 20 that extends thestem 4 downwards, as can be seen in FIG. 2, that extends along alongitudinal axis Y, that is rectilinear for example, and that forms anangle α with the longitudinal axis X of the distal portion 21 of thestem 4. The angle α lies in the range 5° to 45°, for example.

The applicator element 6 presents an end face 25 and a side surface 26.

Where appropriate, the handle 5 can include at least one reception zone(not shown) for receiving a finger, e.g. a recess or a flat, that canextend on the side of the end face 25, for example. Such a receptionzone can make it easier to identify the orientation of the applicatorelement.

The cross-section of the applicator element 6, along its portion 30situated above the end face 25, is circular for example, as shown inFIG. 17, but it could be of some other shape, e.g. oblong or polygonal,amongst others.

The width w of the applicator element, along the portion 30 situatedabove the end face 25, as measured in front view as in FIG. 3, can besubstantially constant, as shown in FIG. 3, or it can vary, e.g.increasing towards the distal end 33 of the applicator element, as shownin FIG. 12.

The end face 25 can present a width w′ that decreases towards the distalend 33, e.g. along an elliptical outline that can be symmetrical about amid-plane, as shown.

In the embodiment in FIG. 2, the distal end 33 forms a rounded point.

The end face 25 can intercept the longitudinal axis Y of the applicatorelement 9 with an angle β that is, for example, the same as the angleformed at the distal end 33 between the end face 25 and the side surface26, in a longitudinal section plane of the applicator element that isperpendicular to the end face. By way of example, the angle β is equalto the angle α between the axes X and Y.

The distance k between the end face 25 and the longitudinal axis Xdepends on the length of the portion 20, on its shape, and on the sloperelative to the axis X.

The distance l over which the end face 25 extends parallel to the axis Xis greater than or equal to 2 mm for example, better greater than orequal to 3 mm or 4 mm.

As shown in FIG. 16, the angle γ between the envelope surface of the endface 25 and the longitudinal axis X, in at least one section planecontaining the longitudinal axis, is zero or relatively small, beingless than or equal to 10°, such that the end face 25 extendssubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the distal portion21 of the stem 4.

The end face 25 can be oriented substantially parallel to the directionalong which the distal portion 21 of the stem 4 is removed from thereceptacle 2, which direction coincides with the axis of the wipermember 8, and the end face 25 can be wiped by the edge of the wiper lip8 in a relatively thorough manner, thereby resulting in the absence ofany drop of composition in excess on the end face 25.

The end face 25 is of envelope surface E that is substantially plane,e.g. said envelope surface being plane or slightly concave or convex.

FIG. 22 shows an envelope surface E that is slightly convex. The offsetε defined as being the distance from the top S of the envelope surfaceto a straight line D joining two diametrically opposite regions of theoutline of the end face is less than or equal to 1.2 mm, better 0.5 mm.The same applies for a surface that is slightly concave, the offset εbeing measured between the bottom of the indentation and the straightline D.

In use, the wiped end face 25 can be brought into contact with the lipsL, as shown in FIG. 4. Where appropriate, the side surface 26 can alsobe used for application.

Various modifications can be applied to the applicator element 6 withoutgoing beyond the ambit of the present invention.

In particular, the side surface 26 need not be cylindrical or need notbe frustoconical.

In the embodiment in FIG. 5, the applicator element 6 is flat ortapering at its end, forming a tip 40 that extends substantiallyparallel to the axis x, for example. The cross-section of the tip 40 canbe flat in a section plane that is perpendicular to the axis X, or tothe longitudinal axis of the applicator element 6.

The tip 40 can extend over a shorter or longer distance b, as can beseen in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the end face 25 can be defined by a larger orsmaller fraction of said tip 40.

The end face 25 can be defined by the tip 40 over at least half of itslength, as measured parallel to the axis X, or over three-fourths of itslength.

Where appropriate, the tip 40 can be thin enough to flex duringapplication, since its mean thickness f can be relatively small.

The end face 25 can be wider than the top portion 30, as can be seen inFIG. 8, the end face 25 presenting a width w′ that increases, thendecreases, towards the distal end 33.

In the embodiment in FIGS. 7 and 8, the end face 25 is formed by a flattip 40 that is connected to form an angle δ with the longitudinal axisof the top portion 30, said top portion having a longitudinal axis thatis rectilinear and that forms an angle α with the longitudinal axis X ofthe distal portion 21 of the stem 4, for example.

In the variant in FIGS. 9 and 10, the end face 25 presents an outlinethat is substantially triangular when seen from the front.

The same applies for the variant in FIGS. 11 and 12 in which the topportion 30 of the applicator element presents a width that decreasestowards the stem 4.

In the variant in FIGS. 13 and 14, the applicator element 6 includes arecess 50 that opens out into the end face 25. In this embodiment, theenvelope surface E of the end face 25 is a plane that is flush with theperiphery of the recess 50, the plane being parallel to the axis X.

By way of example, the applicator element 6 presents a tip 40, and therecess 50 passes through the tip 40.

The thickness of the tip 40 can decrease towards the distal end 33.

By way of example, the recess 50 is in the form of an opening that isrelatively narrow and that is elongate along the longitudinal axis ofthe tip 40, as can be seen in FIG. 13. In a variant not shown, therecess 50 is not a through recess. Where appropriate, the recess 50 canextend into the portion 30 that is situated above the end face 25.

FIG. 14 shows that the applicator element 6 can include a fastenerportion that is arranged to be fastened in or on the stem, e.g. anendpiece 81 that is inserted into a housing of the stem.

As shown in FIG. 15, the applicator element 6 can include a thinhinge-forming zone 55 that is created by a narrowing of thecross-section of the applicator element. In the embodiment in FIG. 15,the hinge-forming zone 55 is situated in the top portion 30 of theapplicator element, defining a recess 56 in the side that is oppositefrom the end face 25.

FIG. 19 shows an applicator element having a side surface 26 thatdiverges towards the end face 25.

In the embodiment in FIG. 20, the applicator element includes a ridge 51on the side that is opposite from the end face 25, the ridge 51 beingsituated at the junction between two substantially plane faces 52, forexample.

FIG. 21 shows the possibility of the portion 30 of the applicatorelement that is situated between the end face 25 and the stem 4presenting an opening 58, e.g. in the form of a slot.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Thecharacteristics of the embodiments shown can be combined together withinvariants not shown.

The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymouswith “comprising at least one” unless specified to the contrary.

Although the present invention herein has been described with referenceto particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A packaging and applicator device for applying a composition to theskin or the lips, the device comprising: an applicator comprising: astem having a distal portion; and an applicator element that is carriedby the distal portion of the stem; and a receptacle containing thecomposition for application to the skin or the lips, the receptaclebeing provided with at least one wiper member for wiping the applicatorelement while it is being removed from the receptacle; the applicatorelement having a longitudinal axis that does not coincide with thelongitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem; and the applicatorelement having an end face of envelope surface that is substantiallyplane and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distalportion of the stem, the end face being situated on the side of theapplicator element that is opposite from the longitudinal axis of thedistal portion of the stem.
 2. A device according to claim 1, the endface being of envelope surface that is plane.
 3. A device according toclaim 1, the end face being of envelope surface that is outwardly convexto a small extent.
 4. A device according to claim 1, the end face beingof envelope surface that is outwardly concave to a small extent.
 5. Adevice according to claim 1, the end face extending along thelongitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem over a distance thatis greater than or equal to 2 mm.
 6. A device according to claim 5, thedistance lying in the range 2 mm to 15 mm.
 7. A device according toclaim 1, at least one point of the end face being spaced apart from thelongitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem by a distance thatis greater than or equal to 2 mm.
 8. A device according to claim 7, thedistance lying in the range 2 mm to 6 mm.
 9. A device according to claim1, the applicator element extending along a longitudinal axis that formsan angle α with the longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the stem,said angle lying in the range 5° to 45°.
 10. A device according to claim9, the angle α lying in the range 10° to 35°.
 11. A device according toclaim 1, the applicator element extending with a longitudinal axis thatis rectilinear.
 12. A device according to claim 1, the applicatorelement extending with a longitudinal axis that is not rectilinear. 13.A device according to claim 1, the end face presenting a width thatdecreases towards the distal end.
 14. A device according to claim 13,the end face presenting a shape that is substantially triangular.
 15. Adevice according to claim 13, the end face presenting a shape that issubstantially elliptical.
 16. A device according to claim 1, the endface defining, in longitudinal section, a bevel at the distal end of theapplicator element.
 17. A device according to claim 16, the bevel beingof angle β lying in the range 6° to 65°.
 18. A device according to claim1, the applicator element presenting, over at least a fraction of itslength, a cross-section that is circular.
 19. A device according toclaim 1, the width of the portion of the applicator element that issituated above the end face being substantially constant when theapplicator element is observed in front view.
 20. A device according toclaim 1, the width of the portion of the applicator element that issituated above the end face decreasing towards the distal end when theapplicator element is observed in front view.
 21. A device according toclaim 1, the width of the portion of the applicator element that issituated above the end face increasing towards the distal end when theapplicator element is observed in front view.
 22. A device according toclaim 1, the applicator element comprising a recess that opens out intothe end face.
 23. A device according to claim 1, the applicator elementcomprising an opening that is situated between the stem and the endface.
 24. A device according to claim 22, the recess being a throughrecess.
 25. A device according to claim 1, the applicator elementcomprising a thin hinge-forming zone.
 26. A device according to claim 1,the applicator element including a flat tip that defines the end face,at least in part.
 27. A device according to claim 1, the applicatorelement being flocked.
 28. A device according to claim 27, theapplicator element being flocked with a mixture of bristles of variouskinds and/or sizes.
 29. A device according to claim 1, the applicatorelement comprising a material that is magnetic or magnetizable.
 30. Adevice according to claim 1, the applicator element having alongitudinal axis that forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of thedistal portion of the stem, at least in a region of the applicatorelement that is immediately in line with the stem on the outside.
 31. Adevice according to claim 1, the composition being a composition forapplication to the lips.
 32. A method of applying a composition to theskin or the lips, the method comprising: removing from a receptaclecontaining the composition for application, an applicator comprising astem that is provided at one end with an applicator element, the stembeing removed in a removal direction, the applicator element having alongitudinal axis that does not coincide with the longitudinal axis ofthe stem, and presenting an end face of envelope surface that issubstantially plane and that extends substantially parallel to theremoval direction, the end face being situated on the side of theapplicator element that is opposite from the longitudinal axis of theend of the stem; then applying the composition that is present on theend face by bringing said end face into contact with the skin or thelips.
 33. A method according to claim 32, comprising the step consistingin deforming the applicator element while being removed, on contact witha wiper member that is disposed in the receptacle.
 34. A methodaccording to claim 32, the composition being applied to the lips.